It is a philosophy of Curt G. Joa, Inc. to design for the future by
building on experience. With an emphasis on teamwork, JOA enters into a
confidential relationship with its clients. The result is custom
designed converting machinery to meet future product requirements.

Pulp Fiberization

JOA has been making fluff since 1942, when the company patented its
first pulp fiberization and mat forming system designed to replace
tissue wadding in sanitary napkins.

Today, we offer a complete line of JOA designed fiberizing systems,
sized according to throughput requirements ranging from 500 Kg/hr. for
sanitary napkins to 1500 Kg/hr. for baby and adult diapers.

We have dedicated the JOA Screenless Mill to the task of
fiberization for the higher applications. The close running tolerance
between rotor and housing that is built into the JOA hammermill allows
it to produce fluff without the conventional hole screen.

Removing the screen eliminates fluff surge problems, reduces fiber
damage with a "one shot" working of the pulp and, with a
modest 100 horsepower (75 kw), the mill can process 1500 Kg/hr.

Drum Forming Of Absorbent Cores

JOA began drum forming absorbent cores for our sanitary napkin
machinery more than 25 years ago. In 1984, our engineering group began a
transformation of this process.

The result is a production proven drum forming system for the much
larger baby and adult product cores.

With product advantages like strategic three-dimensional fluff
distribution and superabsorbent blending and process advantages like the
elimination of the leg cutout operation and related chip return, drum
forming of the diaper core has become a JOA standard.

Modular Frame and Drive

The classical JOA approach to machine design is based on a
sectionalized frame and drive construction with modular subassemblies
arranged according to process and product requirements.

This fundamental approach extends the life of any JOA machine by
allowing for retrofit of new process modules, designed to produce the
latest product features. Many existing JOA machines, some placed in
production in the early 1970s, have been prepared for the 1990s with
this type of conversion.

No single component in the JOA process is more universally known
throughout the world than the Model 115 Stacker.

The concept of arranging a counted stack by gathering product in a
moving paddle chain dates back to September 2, 1941, when JOA was issued
its first patent for a sanitary napkin stacker. This stacking principle
has been applied to virtually all of our product handling needs,
including baby diapers, adult products and trifolded and wrapped
sanitary napkins.

Experience builds teamwork and challenge improves performance. From
engineering through manufacturing, assembly and tooling, the JOA team
has accumulated thousands of man-years of experience. This talented team
looks forward to the next challenge.

Steady Growth

Experience and teamwork not only set the trends in machine design,
but also guide JOA through its growth.

Curt G. Joa, Inc. has engineering offices and manufacturing plants
in both of its U.S. locations - Sheboygan Falls, Wisconsin and Boynton
Beach, Florida.

In January, 1990, the Sheboygan Falls group moved into a
newly-constructed, 8500 sq. meter facility, designed for converter assembly and testing. In March, 1991, one year later, we broke ground to
construct an additional 8500 sq. meters in Wisconsin and 2500 sq. meters
in Florida as part of an expansion plan. These additional facilities are
now fully operational.

For the European market, JOA established service representation in
1980, with an off ice and parts warehouse in Markbreit, Germany.

In October, 1989, JOA opened its new plant in Volkach, Germany.
With 1500 sq. meters of assembly and testing floor space, we have
additional capacity available for European projects involving machine
upgrades and product development.

Relationships

c Perhaps the most important lesson experience has taught us is the
value of a trusting relationship between supplier and client.

JOA is proud of its heritage and reputation as a company with which
our clients can work confidentially to develop machinery for their
specific needs.

We appreciate the many years of opportunity we have shared in this
industry. With excitement, we invite you to contact us to discuss the
future.

COPYRIGHT 1993 Rodman Publications, Inc.
No portion of this article can be reproduced without the express written permission from the copyright holder.